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Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) (https://byrne.house.gov), a member of the Armed Forces Commission, on March 6, 2018, expressed his concerns about the recent actions of the China in Africa, especially actions in the Republic of Djibouti
Djibouti recently illegally took control of the Doraleh port terminal by presidential decree, and some reports indicate that Djibouti plans to donate the facility to the Chinese government. MP Byrne fears that this aggressive expansion into Africa may hamper US military and intelligence efforts to operate in the Horn of Africa's strategic point.
Djibouti is home to the only permanent US base on the entire African continent and hosts approximately 4,000 military personnel. On March 6, Byrne sent a letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis expressing his concerns. He also interviewed General Thomas Waldhauser, commander of US Africa Command, about China's actions in Africa. United States
Congressman Byrne said: "I am deeply troubled by recent Chinese actions in Africa and efforts to expand their influence in the region, including reports that Djibouti plans to entrust a major port to the country. The Chinese government could have a negative impact on the ability of US military and intelligence officials to conduct critical anti-terrorism operations, and I encourage our military leaders to follow the issue closely to make sure that any action does not take place. will not have a negative impact on our military members or on our important economic, military or diplomatic efforts in Africa. "
Click here (https://goo.gl/aXnb1Y) to read Byrne's letter to Secretary Mattis
Click here (https://goo.gl/4Aj4JJ) to watch the interrogation of General Waldhauser by MP Byrne
Full text from the member's letter is: [19659003] Dear Secretary Mattis:
Last week, the Republic of Djibouti illegally took control of the Doraleh Port Terminal by presidential decree. According to reports, Djibouti plans to donate the facility to the Chinese government. Although the aggressive expansion of Beijing in Africa is not new, I fear that our military and intelligence capabilities and our ability to operate in this strategic sector are increasingly threatened by the growing influence of the China on the government of President Guelleh
. is a key location for power projection and US operations. According to the Ministry of Defense, Camp Lemonnier is the only permanent US base on the entire African continent and "essential to US efforts in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula". The base hosts 4,000 military and intelligence officers. for anti-terrorist operations targeting AQIP, Al-Shabaab, Boko Haram, the Lord's Resistance Army and ISIS. At the base of Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), Djibouti hosts special forces, UAVs, helicopters, airplanes and a 150-member rapid reaction force. Established as a result of the deadly attack on our mission in Benghazi, this unit is responsible for supporting and protecting American diplomatic personnel working in austere environments in the region.
With these sensitive operations based in Djibouti, I am troubled by President Guelleh's decision to allow the Chinese to obtain land to build a mbadive base just a few kilometers from Camp Lemonnier. About the size of New Jersey, Djibouti is the only country in the world to host both an American naval base and a Chinese naval base. With the completion of the first foreign military base in Beijing, Djibouti is ready to accommodate up to 10,000 Chinese soldiers, more than double the US presence. As confirmed by the commander of AFRICOM, General Thomas Waldhauser, it is the closest to an American facility that a rival could build a base, raising up Important "security concerns".
President Guellah's willingness to adapt to China asking US forces to leave the port city to make way for the Chinese. Many members of Congress, the intelligence community and the military have warned of the impact that this growing presence will have in the region. In his testimony to the Armed Forces Committee on 27 February, General Votel, commander of CENTCOM, confirmed that "the new military base and the new port allow China to project its forces more sustainably into the region and to 39, strategically influence commercial water courses. the influence does not stop at the port. Beijing has financed two international airports, a railway line connecting Djibouti and Ethiopia, and a new presidential palace for Mr. Guelleh – which is said to be "free". Inappropriate bilateral trade transactions in the region represent such a challenge, AFRICOM has addressed them. his statement of posture of 2017: "Whether it is with trade, exploitation of natural resources or the sale of arms, we continue to see international competitors engaging with African partners in Africa. 39 in a manner contrary to international standards of transparency and good governance. These competitors weaken the governance capacity of our African partners and will ultimately undermine the stability and long-term economic growth of Africa. They will weaken and diminish the influence of the United States. If the country is willing to confiscate a port terminal under a 30-year legal agreement, which will prevent President Guelleh from relinquishing the 20-year lease signed by the United States in 2014 for Camp Lemonnier? The increasing correlation between Beijing's billions of dollars and Djibouti's actions detrimental to the interests of the United States and our allies raises serious questions. In his 2015 report on Foreign Affairs "China Comes to Djibouti: Why Washington Should be Worried", Chinese researcher John Lee provides a premonitory answer: "Money talks, especially in small, underdeveloped states headed by authoritarian governments like Djibouti, Beijing, not Washington, may have the strongest voice. "
Your visit to Djibouti in April 2017 sent a strong signal about the strategic importance and the need a robust US presence. I appreciate your statements that emphasize the need to follow long-established international standards in and around the country becoming more crowded. When you engage with your counterparts in Djibouti, I respectfully ask you to continue to ensure that our presence and ability to function unhindered is respected.
Thank you for your continued leadership of the Department and for your continued dedication to our country.
Bradley Byrne Member of Congress
Multi media files: Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31q15c4of0Q
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of US Representative Bradley Byrne.
Media Contact:
Seth Morrow Assistant Chief of Staff Bradley Byrne O: 202-225-4931 C: 251-259-2681
Documents to the Media 
Multimedia Document
Image: Congressman Bradley Byrne Video: Djibouti – Doraleh Port Terminal: Bradley Byrne, US Congressman, worries about Chinese actions in Africa [19659022]
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